Mayor Rob Ford says he won’t ask the City of Toronto to cover his legal costs because those responsible for taking him to court should foot the bill.

“Why would I have the taxpayers pay for it even though there is insurance?” Ford told the Toronto Sun Tuesday.

Ford’s lawyers are fighting to obtain $116,000 in court costs from resident Paul Magder — the man who launched an unsuccessful conflict-of-interest case against Ford.

Magder’s lawyer, Clayton Ruby, has argued his client shouldn’t have to pay any costs, noting in court filings that Ford could ask the city to cover his legal bills.

“Taxpayers aren’t going to pick up the bill for Mr. Magder or Mr. Ruby,” Ford said. “I’m sorry — they lost, they pay. The taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay.”

Although city officials say the mayor can ask the city to cover his legal costs after winning the conflict-of-interest case that almost resulted in him being thrown out of office, a fired-up Ford was adamant he won’t come cap in hand to the city.

“(Magder’s lawyers) have the nerve to come out and say, ‘Well, the city has insurance. Why don’t you go and get your money from the taxpayers?’” Ford told Sun News Network host David “The Menzoid” Menzies. “The last thing I’m going to do is go to the taxpayers and say give me the $120,000.”

Ford was at SNN Tuesday for a visit to Menzies’ “Menzoid Man Cave” as part of the Menzoid Mornings show.

The first segment will air Wednesday morning — at 6:20 a.m. and repeated again at 7:20 a.m. — with two more segments airing Thursday and Friday.

During the interview, Ford lashed out at “the left-wing” for going after him and called the court cases he was forced to fight “ridiculous and desperate.

“This is simply the left-wing coming after me trying to make hay when there is nothing there,” Ford said. “I’m sick and tired of the games they’re playing … I want to get on with the next election.

“Let them try to beat me at the ballot box and if they can, all the power to them and I’ll leave gracefully.”

Asked about his treatment from “some of the left-wing media” since he took office, Ford said he’s not surprised.

“If they want to go after my big belly, at least it is paid for,” he said. “If that’s all they have then obviously my politics must be working. I’ll debate anyone, any time, any journalist any time.”

Ford said “certain” media may not like what he’s doing at City Hall.

“I say, ‘to Hell with them’,” he said. “If you want to bring it on, I’ll fight face-to-face and I’ll go toe-to-toe with these people because I know what I’m doing is right.”

Menzies wrapped up the segment by asking Ford if he’s been “scared straight” by all the legal fights that almost knocked him out of the mayor’s chair.

“There’s not a more honest politician than I am,” he said.

“I am who I am. People want me to change, what do you want me to change into a left-wing tax and spend socialist? That will never happen.”

Mayor Rob Ford won't ask city to pay his legal costs

Mayor Rob Ford says he won’t ask the City of Toronto to cover his legal costs because those responsible for taking him to court should foot the bill.
“Why would I have the taxpayers pay for it even though there is insurance?” Ford told the Toronto Sun Tuesday.
Ford’s lawyers are fighting to obtain $116,000 in court costs from resident Paul Magder — the man who launched an unsuccessful conflict-of-interest case against Ford.
Magder’s lawyer, Clayton Ruby, has argued his client shouldn’t have to pay any costs, noting in court filings that Ford could ask the city to cover his legal bills.